Microsoft just changed the way it pushes out updates to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1

Windows will no longer push individual patches, but instead bundle them all together for servicing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. The problem so far was a fragmentation of the update state of different systems, because of various combinations of patches and security fixes installed on any device. This led to performance loss, more maintenance timings and bugs because all the particular combinations hadn’t been tested by Microsoft. The problem was partially solved back in May when Microsoft started pushing cumulative updates for non security patches to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Now, Microsoft is including security patches into a monthly rollup as well. While this may increase the time it takes to download and install the update, the regular rollups will ensure that most machines will have the same set of updates installed. Every rollup will contain the patches and fixes for the previous month, as well as a lite delivery package that only downloads the latest updates, if those are the only ones that are required to be installed. With this change, the update process for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 moves closer to the update pattern for Windows 10. The security patches update roll out is also changing. There will be a monthly security only update. Users will no longer be able to pick the individual packages to update. They will have to update all the patches in a single month, or not update at all. The security patches will not be like the regular rollup, in there won’t be a cumulative build up of all previous security patches. Microsoft is initially starting the new servicing model for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 from October 2016. However, it plans to eventually release cumulative updates for all previous updates as well, back till the last baseline release. For example, for Windows 7, all previous updates will be rolled up for Windows 7 SP1. The update cycle has changed for .NET Framework as well. The .NET Framework will recieve a monthly update rollup for security and performance fixes.